The spread of avian influenza has reached unprecedented levels in recent years, and the Americas has been no exception. In the course of 2024 and so far in 2025, 406 outbreaks have been reported in poultry and 1,326 in non-domestic birds, including wild species. Cases have also been reported in mammals, such as dairy cattle, highlighting the ability of the virus to cross species barriers. The spread of the virus poses a threat to animal health and welfare, as well as affecting local economies and compromising food availability. The recent soaring price of eggs and other poultry products in the Americas region is a direct example of the impact on consumers.
In a context where the disease continues to spread in several countries in the Americas, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organised the third meeting of the Standing Group of Experts on Avian Influenza. This network, created under the Global Framework for the control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), brings together renowned scientists to advise countries on the management of this health crisis. In addition, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the International Regional Organisation for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA), the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA), the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (SG CAN) and private associations such as Feedlatina and the Latin American Poultry Farming Association (ALA).
During the virtual meeting held on 19 February, an update on the regional and global avian influenza situation was presented, based on data reported by countries through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). In addition, experts reviewed surveillance strategies for new strains being implemented in dairy cattle in the United States and Canada. The upcoming launch of the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) 2024-2033, which will be officially presented in a webinar on 3 March, was also highlighted.
The participants agreed that, due to the high adaptability of the virus, it is essential to continue fostering areas of cooperation to share scientific findings and strengthen the timely report of outbreaks and information on new species affected.
In this scenario, joint work between international organisations, governments, the productive sector and the scientific community is key to anticipating the challenges posed by avian influenza. The implementation of the ‘One Health’ approach can facilitate the development of robust surveillance, effective control strategies and fluid communication between the actors involved. Ultimately, this will reduce the impact of the disease, strengthen the resilience of Veterinary Services and the poultry sector in the region, and ensure global food security.
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